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ACCESSORY DIVA BLOG

New Year New Path

1/4/2021

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New Year New Path
I​ spend a lot of time reflecting during this time of year. I look back on the choices I have made and evaluate the life lessons I’ve learned. This season is also an opportunity for new beginnings; a time to choose a new path and start with a clean slate. Have you considered what will be your catalyst for an epic year? How will you fill the blank pages of the New Year? Answer these questions with one (1) of the seven (7) ideas listed below.

1. Hair Vision Board
Do you have hair goals you want to accomplish this year? Making a hair vision board is a creative way to start the year. A vision board is an amazing tool for visualization. It’ll help you establish your intentions, clarify your goals, and create a plan of action. I’m the type of girl who thinks experiences are better shared. Why create your vision board alone when you can host a virtual vision board party with your curl friends via Zoom! 

2. Try Something Different
Trying something different is always better with friends! Virtual group activity events are very popular right now. There is a wide range of activity options from virtual paint-and-sips to happy hours. You can organize a Curl Friend Zoom Party and learn something new together. Forewarning, these group activities are full of fun and laughter. Your curl friends will want you to plan more events  throughout the year! 

3. Invest In Yourself
This is a great resolution for my fellow natural hair influencers. Take an online class, webinar, or course that will help you better serve your audience. We should be “forever” learners and willing to invest in our craft. The topic possibilities are endless! From marketing to hair care classes find something that’ll interest you. 

4. Love Your Tribe
Life is too short! Stop wasting time and energy on people that are not an asset to you. Love on those who both uplift and inspire you to be a better version of yourself. Find ways to show them how much you appreciate the role they play in your life. Gestures such as thank you cards and small gifts are fantastic! 

​5. Take A Mini-Vacation
For your mini-vacation, you can book a room at a local hotel or resort and unplug. Another option is a staycation; you can stay at home or camp-out in your backyard and unplug. Unplug by taking a break from your electronics and doing relaxing activities. Who doesn’t love an evening stroll or great book? I know I do and you can do them all during your vacation! 

6. Get More Organized
If you function better in clutter, this one is not for you! Organized things allow me to be more creative. Clutter has a negative affect on my productivity and mood. A clutter-free environment is also a pathway for me to get things done quicker. If clutter free sounds like something you need in your life, strive to get more organized this year. 

7. Focus on Self-Care
Curl friends please make time for yourself! Sow into your well-being whether its physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. To be your best self for others you have to replenish and restore yourself. Self-care can be something as simple as daily meditation or reading a few chapters of a book. Self-preservation is not a selfish gesture. It is something much needed for your health. 


I hope you found this list helpful. Is there anything else you would add to this list? If so, feel free to place it in the comments. 

Tonya Cross - Accessory Designer 
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Accessory Business Of The Year

11/16/2020

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Accented Glory has gain a lot a visibility this year and we're LOVIN' it! Many small businesses have experienced setbacks with the global pandemic this year. Accented Glory was fortunate to pivot early and has had much success even amidst Covid-19. It is truly a blessing to be in alignment with your vision and purpose! 

We're excited to announce that we ended the year with a bang! We now have the title of Accessory Business Of The Year by Buy From a Black Woman (BFABW). BFABW is a non-profit organization that supports Black women entrepreneurs by providing tools and resources that enables them to be successful. They offer educational programs, funding, and a directory listing for their organization members. 
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During the month of November BFABW celebrates Buy From A Black Woman Awareness Month. Throughout the month they host giveaways and events. Accented Glory is excited to be a part of this amazing organization and believe we have found out tribe! 

Below are some additional features our visionary and accessory designer Tonya Cross has been a part of this year. Click on names to read and/or listen!

Black Profits Feature
Cornell Report (Mention Paragraph 5)
Enterprise League Feature (Our project is #19)
The Spirit Talks Podcast 
Women’s Entrepreneurship (Mention Paragraph 14)

Cierra - AKA Accessory Diva


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Activ8te Your Vision - Vision Board Gathering

10/16/2020

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Our visionary and accessory designer Tonya Cross has partnered with Staci Moore of AMarketersLounge and TheOper8ter to host Activ8te Your Vision – Vision Board Gathering! This amazing event is taking place on October 31st - November 1st. Visit our Sister Organization The Vine Events' website to register. Click Activ8te Your Vision to learn more! 


Cierra - AKA Accessory Diva

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Canvas8 Case Study

9/2/2020

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It is a honor to share my insights on natural hair trends and how I feel Naza Beauty is raising the bar for Natural Hair Salons in Canvas8 case study! Canvas8 is the leading consumer behavior insights consultancy in the UK offering expert analysis on the latest consumer trends. The research address salon service needs of Black women with natural hair. Click case study to read about my experience on The Vine Events' (sister organization) website!

​Tonya Cross - Accessory Designer
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Canvas8 Case Study: Naza Beauty - A Hair Salon With A Tech Twist
Canvas8 Case Study: Naza Beauty - A Hair Salon With A Tech Twist
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Kimmie Jean - Online Boutique

8/20/2020

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Accented Glory's visionary Tonya Cross (TC) had an opportunity to chat with Kimberly Watson (KW) of Kimmie Jean. During the conversation she shares about her entrepreneurial journey and gives advice on launching an online boutique. Read below to learn more! 
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Kimberly Watson of Kimmie JeanKimberly Watson
TC: Please introduce yourself and tell us who you are.

KW: My name is Kimberly Watson. I am a wife and mom of two and I own a childcare center and an online boutique. Fashion is my first true love! It took a lot of planning before I launched Kimmie Jean boutique. Now my focus is getting the word out about my boutique and becoming known.

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TC: Thanks Kimberly for agreeing to share with our audience! So, tell us more about your boutique  Kimmie Jean and how it came to be?

KW: My philosophy behind Kimmie Jean comes from the fact that everyone has been into a store and felt rejected somehow. Whether from race or sex, to the store just didn’t have your style, to items being too expensive or cheap. I wanted to create a space that everyone could shop at.

Items from Kimmie Jean BoutiqueKimmie Jean Boutique
TC: Yes, I'm sure we have all had at least one of those experiences while shopping. Now, what advice would you give to a fellow entrepreneur who's interested in launching an online boutique? 

KW: My advice for fellow entrepreneurs is like Nike “Just Do It”. I had the business plan for my boutique done in 2014 and didn’t actually launch until November 2019 because of fear. Now I look back at the time wasted. Also, don’t expect friends and family to be your first customers. They may support you, but if you expect it you’ll have your feelings hurt.

TC: Great advice and tips! What do you foresee for your brand in the next five years? 

KW:  In five years I hope to have my brand known and maybe expand to a store front. 

TC: Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience? 
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KW: Entrepreneurship is a lot of work, but don’t be scared to work towards your dreams. Invest in you and yours!

Kimmie Jean Boutique LogoKimmie Jean
TC: Thank you so much for sharing with us! Where can our audience find out more about your business and services? 
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KW:  You can find more information on my boutique's website at www.shopkimmiejean.com! We're also on social media at https://www.facebook.com/shopkimmiejean and https://www.instagram.com/shopkimmiejean. Thank you for an opportunity to share! 
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Tonya Cross - Accessory Designer

Are you an entrepreneur?

What advice would you offer someone who's launching a business? 

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Hazel's Soapery - Camille Brown

7/31/2020

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Accented Glory's accessory designer Tonya Cross (TC) got a chance to meet and chat with fellow woman entrepreneur Camille Brown (CB) of Hazel's Soapery. Check out their conversation below to learn more about Camille, her brand story, and natural products she create. 
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Hazel's Soapery Artisan and Proprietor Camille BrownCamille Brown - Hazel's Soapery

​TC: Thank you for agreeing to share your brand story with our Accented Glory Family! I love meeting and  engaging with other creative women in business. Please introduce yourself and tell us who you are.
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CB: Hello Everyone. My name is Camille Brown and I am the Artisan and Proprietor of Hazel's Soapery.  I am also a Mother, a Sister, a Friend, a member of Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc. and currently a South Carolinian (not sure how much longer that is going to last).
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TC: Accented Glory's target audience is black women with natural hair. I know how life changing returning to natural hair has been for me personally. Tell us about your natural hair journey and how it has impacted you.

CB: I began my natural hair journey after researching the use of "relaxers" and its effects on uterine fibroids. I was curious why it seemed as though so many young African American women had them.  Understanding I needed (Still do) to change my diet, I never considered how what I was putting on my hair could affect my internal health. It was an eye-opener for me.  One that ultimately led me to create Hazel's Soapery.


TC: WOW...My natural hair journey inspired me to launch my brand Accented Glory as well! Tell us more about your brand Hazel's Soapery and how it came to be. 

CB: Hazel's Soapery was created from a lot of major pieces that came together over the span of about 10 years.  I'll give you the abridged version :).

On my 34th Birthday, I was getting dressed to go out with a group of friends.  As I was getting ready I noticed a pain in my left breast. I didn't pay it much attention at the time and continued on with my evening.  Well as time went on I ended up with a mass in my breast the size of an egg.  After several treatments and scans, too many pain relievers and antibiotics. I had to have a partial mastectomy to have it removed.  I was blessed to have a wonderful Dr. who was a world-renowned researcher in Breast Care.  After removing the mass she was so curious about its make up that she studied it.  She called me in to tell me that the mass was a build-up of toxins that my body was not able to secrete due to a blockage caused by using Clinical Strength deodorant. You can read the entire story here.

The second piece was my Grandmother, Hazel Whitman. I had the Grandmother that people put in movies. She was kind, prayerful, wise and for a little girl who would never be quiet, she let me talk as much as I wanted :).  She was the person that people would call and say, "I have an earache and I don't know what to do." My grandmother would go into the kitchen, mix some stuff up in a bowl, put it in an old medicine bottle, and say, "Come on Baby, pick this up".  So I got my beginnings by staying attached to her hip, watching her, and not even realizing what it was I was watching. In addition to listening to my mother talk and read about different roots and vitamins. It laid dormant until about two years after her passing. 

The third piece was my transition to natural hair. My grandmother was also a Cosmetologist, her and my Great-Grandmother owned their own shop back in the 1930s. One of their early lessons was to "take care of your scalp and your hair will grow healthy without all that junk". So I have never been a fan of using a lot of products (Minus my Jerri Curl phase). When I decided to go natural, I couldn't find products that worked on my hair. So, I began to research and mix my own. I made itchy scalp sprays and all sorts of concoctions. Then one day, I came across an article that said; Whatever you put on your skin takes 26 seconds to get into your bloodstream. That was it, I needed to know what was in my soap, my lotion, my lip balm, of course, deodorant and here we are today. I found that I could create and therefore control the ingredients that I used on my skin. More importantly on my children's skin.  We have seen such a change over time and its amazing.
Hazel's Soapery Natural ProductsHazel Soapery Natural Products - Click photo to shop!

TC: I'm a huge advocate of using products made with all-natural ingredients. Tell us why you chose to avoid using chemicals and harmful ingredients in your products. 

CB: I avoid using chemicals and harmful ingredients mainly for the reason stated above. However, I will add this. My belief is that God created this world with everything we need to survive on it. So when you think back to our grandparents, for me I was blessed to even know my great-grandparents. I was able to watch them garden, cook, make home remedies, can food, hunt and cut up meat. All these things that we got away from because it was more convenient to buy it pre-made or packaged. So what many companies did was find a way to mass-produce the simple God-given ingredients to make a profit. The trade-off has been our health. So when I looked back and see, my Grandmother lived to be 80 yrs old, with clear skin, no real health problems, in her right mind and compare it to me who at before 40 had breast surgery, fibroids, Dry-skin. It was obvious, I needed to go back to what they were doing. Convenient or not. My main goal is to not have my children be dependent on the easy way. Or the junk food, the bad habits that I have, and am trying to break. I want to raise them without having the need to create new habits. But have healthy ones from the start. I want the same for my customers. I want us to understand those big companies are in the business of making our skin dependent on their product so that if we stop using it for an hour, we need to get more. I want us to reset our skin, so that it functions as it should on its own, with products that work for it. 


TC: Love your mindset; everything we need can be found in nature! I also noticed that you have a blog on your website. Why do you feel it's important to educate your customers?

CB: I
 love teaching. I was a pre-school teacher and Parent Educator at another time.  It is so little we understand about ourselves.  About how to love and nurture our skin and our hair. I happen to also love doing research. So as I learn and grow, I feel I would be remiss to keep that knowledge to myself. We suffer in many ways because we know not. We don't know why our skin is so dry. Also, Hazel's Soapery didn't start out to be a business. It started out because I wanted to change the way I was taking care of myself and my family. I want to share what I learn so that if there are others out there who are doing the same we can help each other. For every piece of information I share, someone has poured more information out into me. Everything can't be about a profit or I wouldn't be holding true to the name of my company. Plus my Grandma will visit me in my dreams and set me straight :).


TC: I'm a forever learner and enjoy sharing what I have learned as well. Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience? 

CB: Absolutely. If you ever have any questions about an ingredient or thinking of starting your own business feel free to reach out to me. I will help as best as I can. Also, a huge Thank You to you for inviting me to share a little bit about Hazel's Soapery with your community.

Hemp Hair Food from Hazel's Soapery
Hemp Is Hair Food - Click photo to shop!
 
TC: You're very welcome! I'm so glad we got an opportunity to connect. I definitely feel like we have kindred spirits! Where can our audience find out more about your business and services?

CB: They can shop for my products at www.HazelsSoapery.com and send me questions at Camille@HazelsSoapery.com. They can also like/follow Hazel's Soapery on social media at links/handles below:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/HazelsSoapery/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/hazelssoapery/
Twitter: @HazelsSoapery

​Accented Glory Family, I hope you enjoyed my chat with Camille of Hazel's Soapery! What was your take away from her natural hair or entrepreneur journey? Share your response in comments below. 


​Tonya Cross - Accessory Designer
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Shop On Facebook With Accented Glory!

6/15/2020

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You can NOW purchase Accented Glory designs directly on our Facebook business page! We currently have designs in the shop that can ONLY be purchased in our Facebook Shop. See two of the designs below. Click Accented Glory then "Shop Now" button below our Facebook page banner to browse and shop!  
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Cowrie Wood Earrings

​​No look is complete without great accessories! Accented Glory's cowrie wood earrings are made with cowrie shells, wood, and nickle free fishhook earwire. Earrings length is 3 inches. They are light weight, so no worries of stretching your earlobes.
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Cowrie Tassel Fan Earrings

No look is complete without great accessories! Accented Glory's cowrie tassel fan earrings are made with gold or silver color alloy metal (lead & nickel free) and nickle free fishhook earwire. Earrings length is 3.5 inches and width is 3 inches. They are light weight, so no worries of stretching your earlobes.

Cierra - AKA Accessory Diva
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Creative Muse Series - Cowrie Shells

5/18/2020

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This blog post contains affiliate links. Click here for Accented Glory's Affiliate's Disclosure.
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At Accented Glory various materials and concepts inspire the formation of my accessory designs. I allow my imagination and creativity to guide the way. I’ve decided to record a series of video shorts that highlight my creative muses. In the video below, I share about cowrie shells and their African Roots. Click play to learn more.

No look is complete without great accessories!

Shop for our beautiful cowrie shell designs on Etsy or Amazon. 

Tonya Cross - Accessory Designer
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Our Stories His Glory Book Pre-Launch!

4/20/2020

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Accented Glory's visionary and accessory designer Tonya Cross new book Our Stories His Glory Our Stories His Glory
Congrats to Accented Glory's visionary and accessory designer Tonya Cross on the pre-launch of her NEW book Our Stories His Glory! Our Stories His Glory is a book anthology that contains stories of victory from very transparent contributing authors. This awesome project is led by Visionary Author Laticia Nicole Beatty and SHERO Publishing. 

The ladies and gentleman in this book compilation have powerful stories that will bless you!
The title of Tonya's chapter is Choose Life. She shares how her self-love and forgiveness journey led to a life of abundance. Her hopes is that readers glean from her story and learn that they too can live more abundantly.

To purchase Our Stories His Glory during the pre-sale, visit Compilation Authors and click on our visionary's name Tonya Miller Cross to order. Books purchased during pre-sale will be autographed by our visionary and include a special gift! The books will be available May 23rd. The cost is $24.95 and includes shipping.


Cierra - AKA Accessory Diva

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Black Designer Magic - Love Duo and Etsy Bundle

3/23/2020

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Accented Glory’s “Love Duo” with Akwati Style is back just in time for Spring! We partnered with Angel Jordan; an amazing fellow black designer for the collab. In the duo, our Cowrie Tassel Hoop Earrings are paired with an off the shoulder white shirt. Matching Ankara fabric directly from Nigeria was used to create the set.
Accented Glory’s Cowrie Tassel Hoop Earrings are all that and then some! The African print center and cowrie shell tassel gives it an Afrocentric vibe that exemplifies our brand energy. They are light weight, so no worries of stretching your earlobes. The hoops are also lead and nickel free and are available in both gold and silver color.

​What makes this earring design even more fabulous is that we also have customized matching headbands. These sets are available in our Etsy Shop’s bundle section. The headband designs are satin lined to protect natural hair from drying out and breakage. In addition, all of our headband designs are adjustable. What does that mean for you? No more headband headaches; you control the tension. Our bundle pairings are great gift sets for some self love or to bestow upon someone else.

​So, what are you waiting for? Express your African heritage with Accented Glory’s Cowrie Tassel Hoop Earrings. No look is complete without great accessories!

Click Akwati Style to order Love Duo from their website.

Click Etsy Shop to purchase one of our Cowrie Tassel Hoop Earring and Headband Bundles.

Cierra - AKA Accessory Diva
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    Cierra Cross

    Cierra has been a part of Accented Glory since its launch in June 2013. Outside of being an "Accessory Diva", she's a millennial who's currently navigating adulthood. Click Not One Of Your Little Friends to check out her podcast! 

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